On May 4, the Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, announced the 12 recipients of the 2026 Emerging Leader Awards. Nominated by their bank’s president, CEO or board chair, these rising stars were selected for their exceptional leadership, commitment to service and impact on the banking industry.
“These honorees are already making a difference in their banks and communities,” notes Chris Furlow, president and CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. “They reflect the strength, character and promise of the next generation of Texas banking leadership.”
Launched in 2019 by the Texas Bankers Foundation in partnership with TBA’s Bank Leadership Council, the Emerging Leader Award celebrates bankers who exemplify the integrity, professionalism and dedication that define Texas community banking. To be honored, nominees must have between five and 20 years in banking, work for a TBA member institution and be nominated by their bank’s president, CEO or chairman.
This year’s honorees represent a broad cross-section of Texas banking, including lending, credit, operations, compliance, human resources, marketing, wealth management, community engagement and executive support. Their work reflects both the strength of today’s community banks and the promise of the next generation of Texas banking leadership.
The winners of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award:
- Sarah Bacon, senior vice president, accounting officer, First Financial Bankshares Inc., Abilene;
- Steven Booker, senior vice president/director of human resources, marketing, Texas Bank, Henderson;
- Will Carpenter, senior credit analyst, Grandview Bank, Burleson;
- Jacob M. Cates, senior vice president/lending and branch manager, Community Bank & Trust, Waco;
- Justus C. Corley, senior vice president/commercial and healthcare group manager, Woodforest National Bank, The Woodlands;
- Thomas “Tommy” Gabriel, vice president/wealth management officer, WestStar Bank, El Paso;
- Maria Hambright, vice president/deposit operations manager, North Dallas Bank & Trust Co., Dallas;
- Brittany Hudnall, executive assistant to president/CEO, First Liberty Bank, Liberty;
- Brad McGuire, senior marketing director, Commercial Bank of Texas NA, Nacogdoches;
- Kelly Preston, senior vice president/HR director, FirstBank Southwest, Amarillo;
- Julisa Trujillo, vice president/recruiter, Austin Bank; and
- Adam Wright, senior vice president/lending and branch manager, First United Bank.
For more information about the 2026 Emerging Leader Award recipients, check out the May–June issue of Texas Banking Magazine.
